A noisy toilet flush when not in use can be a frustrating and annoying problem for many homeowners.
The sound of water running or a constant hissing can be disruptive and distracting, particularly if you have a bathroom near your bedroom.
There are several possible causes of a noisy toilet flush, and in this article, we’ll explore some of the most common ones, as well as provide tips on how to fix the issue.
There can be different kinds of noises that you may get to hear out of your toilet, such as:
• Banging noises
• Hissing sounds
• Foghorn noise
• Ghost flushing
• Whistling noise
• Vibrating sounds
There can be different reasons, but the main causes behind the gurgle and the loud noise from your toilet can be:
• Faulty fill valve
• Leaky toilet valve
• Accumulation of calcium deposits
• Blocked sewer drain
• Water hammer
Let us discuss these reasons in detail.
1) A faulty fill valve
If you hear a hissing sound from your toilet tank, the culprit can be the faulty fill valve.
A fill valve helps prevent water from filling to the brim, so if the water continues to pour in without filling the tank, this could be the problem.
When this fill valve gets damaged, the water continues to pour in, and then it overflows.
To fix this problem, you can try adjusting the fill valve until the hissing sound stops.
Lift the toilet lid, reach out to the float arm, and gently keep holding it up.
Keep twisting the valve until you stop hearing the hissing sound.
If this technique doesn’t work for you, call a professional for help.
And another option is to replace the fill valve.
If you think the damage is irreparable, replacing it will be the only option.
So, now you know that even when the toilet is not in use but you keep hearing a hissing sound, which may be due to the damaged, faulty fill valve.
2) Leaky toilet valve
One of the main reasons behind the continuous irritating noise coming out of your toilet is the leaky toilet valve.
You will notice that the water continues to pour into the tank without filling it up.
To confirm this problem, check for the shutoff valve connected to the wall below the toilet.
When you see the water leaking, it confirms that the toilet valve is damaged.
Also, if there are any corrosion or calcium deposits around the shutoff valve, this could be one of the reasons for continuous noise.
So to fix this problem, the very first thing you should try is to tighten the loosely fixed nuts.
Sometimes even a small problem like loose nuts can cause leakage and noise.
But if the main problem is the corrosion or the calcium deposits around the shutoff valve, you must replace both the shutoff valve and the pipe.
3) Accumulation of calcium deposits
Another valid reason behind your toilet making noise when not in use can be the calcium deposits in the pipes and the toilet fittings.
Calcium deposits occur when you’re using hard water, and the calcium and magnesium salts build up in the pipes and the toilet fittings to make it noisy even when it’s not in use.
To ensure this problem, notice the deposits on the rim of the toilet, faucet, pipes and sink.
To ensure that the pipes have calcium deposits accumulation inside them, turn off the water supply and unscrew the pipe.
Sometimes you don’t see the calcium deposits on the outside of the pipe, but that doesn’t mean that the inside is also clean.
When you unscrew the pipe, see the inside of the pipe.
If you notice calcium and magnesium deposits, this can be the main reason behind the toilet noise, even when it’s not in use.
Because of this problem, the toilet also takes too long to flush.
The best solution for this problem is to often scrub your pipes to prevent the accumulation of calcium deposits.
However, this cannot always be an effective solution because you cannot scrub the pipes from the inside, especially if you live where only hard water is used.
One of the simplest solutions for this problem can be to use any solution to dissolve the calcium deposits.
White vinegar and lime away can be used for this purpose.
You can perform this task easily all by yourself without the help of any professional.
But always remember to use gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals.
Your hand safety should be your priority.
4) Blocked sewer drain
A blocked sewer drain, toilet, or vent can be another reason you keep hearing noise even when your toilet is not in use.
Especially if you hear a gurgling noise, that means the sewer drain is blocked for sure.
To stop this noise, you need to unblock the sewer drain.
I would recommend that you get professional help to perform this task because it’s a messy thing to do.
Especially if you don’t have any experience doing it before, you should not go for doing it yourself.
You will have to make quite an effort to perform this task.
Still, if you want to do it yourself, here are some simple steps that you must follow to fix this problem:
• The first thing is to reach out to the source of the problem. If you know what’s blocking your toilet, it will be easy to remove that thing.
• Again, the safety of your hands should be your priority. Remember to put on the gloves before you start performing this task.
• Get hands on a liquid dishwasher and hot water. Pour both things into the toilet bowl and let them stay there for a few minutes.
• Take a plunger deep into the toilet, ensuring it is completely submerged. This will help you a great deal.
• A plunger will help you with the problem for sure. Repeat the plunging process a few more times.
• If a plunger is not available, you can also use a coat hanger instead. This will work differently; it’s best that you use a plunger.
• Unravel the coat hanger and push it inside the toilet pipes to reach out to the source of the blockage.
• A coat hanger will only work if the source of the blockage is not too far away in the pipes.
• If the source of the blockage is a little too far in the pipes, try using a plunging snake or an auger. This is a simple wire that can coil like a snake and can reach a little too far inside the pipes.
• If all these things don’t work, simply make a solution at home that will help open up the blockage. Mix vinegar, water and baking soda in a bucket, pour it inside the toilet, and let it sit there for a few minutes. Hopefully, this will work.
5) Water hammer
Water hammering is a problem where the noise is loud and sounds like a plane.
In this problem, you keep hearing the noise even when the toilet is unused.
Water hammering occurs due to the compressed air inside the pipes.
This makes the running water inside the pipes stop suddenly, causing the pipes to vibrate very badly.
The pipes can even shake sometimes due to the air and water intensity.
The speedy running water bangs on the pipes and the fittings when you flush the toilet after using it.
For this problem, the solution is simple, but you can also call a professional for help.
Taking help from a professional is always a better idea.
If you want to fix it yourself, try to adjust the shutoff valve to reduce water flow into the toilet.
If this doesn’t work for you, purchase a regulated fill valve.
A regulated fill valve will control the amount of water that pours inside the tank, and because of this, the pressure will be reduced.
But always remember to turn off the water from the main supply before you start fixing this problem.
Conclusion
The above article discusses some of the main reasons behind the loud noise from your toilet even when it’s not used.
The simple strategies will help you solve this problem and make your toilet experience peaceful and quiet.
However, if you try all of the techniques mentioned above and still hear loud hissing, banging, and whistling sounds out of your toilet, you will need the help of a professional plumber.
A professional plumber can understand the problem better than we and solve it in a matter of seconds.
FAQs
1) Do toilets make noise when not in use?
Yes, if any fault or damage needs to be repaired, you will often hear noise from your toilet even when it’s not in use.
2) How to fix a noisy toilet?
To fix a noisy toilet, you can try adjusting the water level or replacing the fill valve. If that doesn’t work, a plumber may need to diagnose the issue.
3) How to stop noisy pipes when flushing the toilet?
You can stop noisy pipes when flushing the toilet by installing water hammer arrestors or by adjusting the water pressure. Consult a plumber if the problem persists.
4)How do I know which part needs to be replaced?
If your toilet is making a whistling or hissing sound when flushed, the fill valve may need to be replaced. If the sound is more like a clanging or banging noise, the problem may be with the flapper valve or the chain.
5) Do I need any special tools to fix a noisy toilet flush?
Most toilet repair jobs can be done with basic tools, such as a screwdriver, pliers, and an adjustable wrench. However, you may need specialized tools, such as a flapper valve puller or a toilet snake, for more complex repairs.
6)What if I’ve tried everything and my toilet is still making noise?
If you’ve tried all the DIY fixes and your toilet is still making noise, it’s time to call a plumber. A professional can diagnose the problem and offer a more permanent solution.